New Works = New Audiences? Not!

by Judith H. Dobrzynski  •  May 11, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Cross-posted from ArtsJournal.com

http://www.judithdobrzynski.com/2009/05/new-works-new-audiences-not

There it was again: another example of a logical fallacy in the way arts institutions think about appealing to new audiences (translation -- younger and more diverse audiences). Somewhere along the way, reaching out to new audiences was equated with new works, as if those in a museum, or in a dance company's or orchestra's repertoire, couldn't possibly attract the hip young people that seem to be the holy grail of cultural organizations. In The New York Times Arts & Leisure section this weekend, writing about the 50th anniversary of Lincoln Center, Tony Tommasini exhibited a very mild version of this affliction:

It could also be argued that the complex's citadel-like feeling has deterred potential audiences. With its institutional appearance, Lincoln Center does not look at first glance like a place for innovative or experimental work.

We saw the same kind of "logic" earlier this year ...MORE >>

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